Northeast Frontier Railway places COVID Care Isolation coaches in Dimapur

* Move taken following request from Nagaland government

* Railways already provided more than 3,000 free beds

* 'Positive feedback being received from patients'

GUWAHATI: Acting promptly on request received from the Government of Nagaland, the NFR (Northeast Frontier Railway) has placed 10 'COVID Care Isolation' coaches at the Dimapur station of Nagaland. Each coach is having 16 beds equipped with all the necessary hygienic arrangements and medical facilities like provision of oxygen cylinders to provide medical attention to the patients referred for admission by the State Health Department.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, J. Alam had written to the Chairman & CEO of Railway Board, Suneet Sharma on Saturday with a request to provide 10 COVID Care coaches at Dimapur railway station to cope with the surging number of COVID-positive cases in Nagaland.

The NFR has placed 10 COVID Care coaches with necessary basic arrangements like proper signage, pathways, ramps, and electricity in 'Line Number 3' of the Dimapur station on Sunday. A reception desk will also be provided by the Railways. To be manned by officials of the State Health department, the desk will keep records of the admitted and also the discharged patients.

Senior Railway officials at the HQs and in Lumding division are in touch with officials of the Nagaland government to provide all necessary help. The SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for proper coordination between the State government and the Railways will be followed upon, stated a release.

It may be mentioned here that to strengthen the capabilities of the nation in the united fight against COVID, the Ministry of Railways has, amongst its multi-pronged initiatives, prepared nearly 4,000 Isolation coaches with almost 64,000 beds. As per demands received from States, 203 coaches with bed-capacity of 3,166 beds have been already handed over to various States for COVID care till Saturday.

These 'Isolation Coaches' can be easily moved and positioned at places of demand on the Indian Railways network. In Delhi, the Railway has catered to the full demand of State Governments' demand for 75 'COVID Care' coaches with a capacity of 1200 beds. A total of 50 coaches are positioned at Shakurbasti and 25 coaches at AnandVihar stations. Besides, 50 coaches have been deployed in UP; 42 in Madya Pradesh; and 36 coaches in Maharashtra. Similarly demands received from other States are also being fulfilled to bolster the fight against COVID, added the press release of SubhananChanda, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR. 

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